dilemma.. Estes EDF

roddie Wed Apr 26, 2017 6:24 pm

My wife (Lynne) is quite supportive of my aero-modeling affliction. Now that I've renewed my AMA membership.. she said; "now you can finally fly that plane I got for you!"...

Rewind to 8+ years ago, she bought me (unsolicited....) an Estes "Sky Rangers" RC jet. Shocked

.......

It "is" pretty cool.. but yet to be flown. It has an electric ducted-fan, powered by a 4C NiMh AA battery-pack. There's a catapult launch-assist via a long "bungee-type" shock-cord that attaches to a hook on the bottom of the fuse. A powered-glider.. for all intents and purposes.

It's not a model that I've been eager to try to fly.. Laughing

and I feel kinda' guilty about that. I really should make an attempt though. I think that she bought it through J.C. Penney Co. IIRC...

I charged the flight-battery once when new.. to see how much static-thrust the fan would produce. It seemed adequate for the design.. but as I mentioned; I've yet to try flying it.

It's been hangared in the shed, since we moved to N. Smithfield.

The electronics/radio are downstairs here in the workshop.. therefore, it should still work. So.. look for a flight-report in the near future...

Kim Wed Apr 26, 2017 6:44 pm

Excellent Wife!! Three Cheers for Lynne !!!!!!!!

pkrankow Wed Apr 26, 2017 6:46 pm

I would consider switching it to Lipo as it is lighter for the same energy.

EDF do not react to throttle changes the same as propeller driven planes, there is an acceleration lag throttling up and no braking effect from the propeller throttling down.

So go for it!

Phil

**Cribbs74** Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:31 pm

If I am reading between the lines correctly, it's not a model you really desired. That's ok though as it's something that won't hurt too bad when it breaks. If so inclined you can perform a maiden and fini flight on the same day... Wink

roddie Wed Apr 26, 2017 9:22 pm

@Cribbs74 wrote:If I am reading between the lines correctly, it's not a model you really desired. That's ok though as it's something that won't hurt too bad when it breaks. If so inclined you can perform a maiden and fini flight on the same day...

You got that spot-on Ron. Lynne was sweet enough to shop for (on her own).. a RTF model airplane for me. What she found; was probably the best-case scenario. I don't have any RC experience.. but this model looks to be a "semi-docile" 2ch (rudder/elev.) flyer.

My only other experience with RC was with a "Fly-Zone" Fokker DR-1 that I never should have attempted flying. Luckily I didn't damage it too badly.

That little model was "squirrely" on take-off. Anyone who's flown a DR-1 knows exactly what I mean....

NEW222 Wed Apr 26, 2017 10:00 pm

@roddie wrote:
@Cribbs74 wrote:If I am reading between the lines correctly, it's not a model you really desired. That's ok though as it's something that won't hurt too bad when it breaks. If so inclined you can perform a maiden and fini flight on the same day...

You got that spot-on Ron. Lynne was sweet enough to shop for (on her own).. a RTF model airplane for me. What she found; was probably the best-case scenario. I don't have any RC experience.. but this model looks to be a "semi-docile" 2ch (rudder/elev.) flyer.

My only other experience with RC was with a "Fly-Zone" Fokker DR-1 that I never should have attempted flying. Luckily I didn't damage it too badly.

That little model was "squirrely" on take-off. Anyone who's flown a DR-1 knows exactly what I mean....

Think of the little Fokker as a training plane. 3 wings first for ease of flying. When you know what you are doing, remove the top wing and fly it as a biplane. When you get that mastered, remove the top wing again and fly it as a low-wing aerobatic aircraft. That is why there are 3 wings, right? lol!

Sorry, I just had to say it. Looks like a nice easy fix. But, I wonder how it would be as a biplane now that I said it? Huh...

Kim Thu Apr 27, 2017 6:24 am

@roddie wrote:

Ya know, what you DO have there is possibly a viable slope soarer if the ducted fan power doesn't work out. Once you do get some experience flying, if you have area where the wind meets an abrupt hill, you could tape up the intake ducts, maybe put a little ballast on the CG and scoot back and forth in the breeze.

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